On the first day back at practice, the Calgary Stampeders worked at plugging the safety hole.

Starter Don McGee is nursing a lower leg injury, so for most of yesterday's defensive reps, linebacker Trey Young lined up in the backfield at safety.

The position isn't completely unfamiliar to Young. The University of Montana product was Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year at that spot in 2002.

But with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on a short week, Stamps coach Tom Higgins used the extra day to make sure he has some defensive replacements in case McGee isn't able to play Saturday.

"It's a perfect time to make sure we get as many people comfortable there as possible," Higgins said. "We have Trey on the roster, so now we might have the chance to manipulate the defence because of it."

McGee wasn't the only one without pads yesterday. Offensive linemen John Comiskey, Jamie Crysdale, Jay McNeil and Jeff Pilon all rested some aches and pains but Higgins said it's too early to tell if any will have to miss the game against the Blue Bombers.

One player who is out for sure is defensive back Pascal Masson, who pulled a groin muscle against B.C. and is two weeks away from returning.

OUT OF THE BLUE: Stamps head coach Tom Higgins doesn't know which Blue Bombers team will show up Saturday for the crucial early season battle.

When Calgary travelled to Winnipeg earlier this season, the Bombers offence was struggling under quarterback Tee Martin and relied on the defence to keep the team in games.

Now that Kevin Glenn has returned, the Double Blue is playing well but the defence is struggling.

"We were talking about how their defence was carrying them in games but now they're allowing some points," Higgins said. "Their offence has now been able to score some points. So now it's a matter of keeping them out of synch."